Indicator for type-casting machines



June 23, 1925.

. 1,5432 78 A.M.CRABTREE INDICATOR FOR TYPE CASTING MACHINES' Filed Dec. 26, 1922 p-zumm 7 Patented June 23, 19.25.

UNITED STATES ALBERT M. CRABTREE,

or DUNCAN, oxnmoma;

INDICATOR FOR TYPE-CASTING MACHINES.

Application filed December 26, 1922. Serial No. 809,089.-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT M. CRAB- TREE, a citizen of the United States, residing in Duncan, in the county of Stephens and State of-Oklahoma, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Indicators for Type-Casting Machines, of which the following is a full and complete specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

In composing type in type casting machines of the well known sort commonly called linotype machines, it is customary to assemble the matrices in lines of definite length, Circumstances arise however when it is desirable to compose the matter in lines of greater length than that for which the machine is customarily used, for example where it is desired to form twin slugs or butted slugs of double the ordinary length, it is necessary for the compositor to bear in mind not only the degree to which the slug unit is being filled but also the relation between the slugs. In other words it isessential that the operator take note or be informed whether he is working on an odd or even numbered slug.

My invention is addressed to the provision of indicating means adapted for ready mounting upon the frame of the type casting machine for the purpose of registering whether the slug being formed is odd or even in number.

Other objects of my invention will be apparent from the followin description of one preferred form which is shown by way of example. In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the indicating means assembled on the related parts of a type casting machine of known form;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 2, 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig; 3 is a detail side view of the tappet, and

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the device in inoperative position. I

For purposes merely of example I have shown the frame 6 of a type casting machine including the associated elevating carnage 7 for the line as the same is composed, as well as the customary matrix assembling devices denoted generally by the numeral 8.

Sliding horizontally in ways on the frame 6 is the assembling slide 9 the end 10 of which is extended considerably to the side of the assembling devices proper. Pivoted at 11 on the frame 6 is found a rocker arm 12 having an upper end 13 connected by means of a contracting spring 14 to a stud or similar fastening 15 on the frame of the machine. The lower arm 12 of the lever has a plvotal connection 16 with a link 17 which extends between the connection 16 and a stud or bolt 18 on the end of-the assembling slide 9. So far as the above construction is concerned, it is that customarily used in the art and common to all varieties of linotype casting machines irrespective of minor changes in subordinate details.

The improved indicator, forming the subject matter of this application, is applied to the rocker arm 12 in the manner shown in Fig. 1. A tappet arm 19 carries a U-shaped yoke 20 riveted to the upper end of the member 19 and having free ends surrounding the rocker arm 12. A set screw 21 permits the yoke 20 to be brought, into binding engagement with the rocker arm 12. A similar yoke 22 is mounted on the tappet arm 19 below the member 20; Set screw 23 serves to bring the yoke 22 into binding engagement with the rocker arm 12. In this manner the tappet arm 19 is held against the rocker arm 12 and constrained to oscillate with the latter in the manner shown in full and dotted lines in Fig. 1, although no at tempt is made to show the limiting positions of the assembling slide 9 or the other parts.

The tappet arm 19 is curved at its lower end and projects: beneath the horizontal plane containing the assembling slide 9, link 17 and connection 16. The lower end of the tappet arm 19 terminates in an apertured part 24 through which the screw or headed stud 25 passes. The part 24 is generally circular in contour and slightly larger than the diameter of the screw head 25. Beneath the part 24 is the toe 26 separated from the former by means of the recess 27 for a purpose which will be described. 4

A pivoted tappet 28 is provided and consists of an upper part into which the screw 25 is threaded tightly. The head of the screw 25 will be sufiiciently removed from the member 28 however so as to provide for free pivotal movement of the member 28 around the part 24. Mounted upon one side oft-he tappet 28 and slightly spaced from the screw 25 is a lug 29. This lug 29 is adapted to travel freely around the part 24 during the pivotal movement of the memher 28. In the lowermostlimit of move ment of the member 28 the lug 29 fits into the recess 27. The member 29 has a broadened face 30 as will be evident from Fig. 2.

A spring detent 31 is fastened to the arm 19 by means of the screw 32 which latter retains the detent frictionally as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The free end of detent 31 is off-set as at 33. During normal operation of the indicator detent 31 is as shown in Fig. 3 and has no effect upon the operation, but when it is desired to withhold the tappet 28 from operation the detent 31 is lowered to the position shown in Fig. 4 and the tappet 28 raised above off-set 33. -The tappet is thus held in an elevated position.

The indicator proper which is operated by the above described device, consists of a blade or bar as shown in Fig. 1 at 34. This bar is tapered at its opposite ends to provide opposed wearing faces 35. The ends of the bar are given a taper on the reverse side as shown. The bar is slotted longitudinally through its medial portion as indicated by numeral 36. One end of the bar is given a distinctive appearance by surface treatment, paint or the like, 11'! the manner indicated at 37.

The bar 34 is mounted in the plane of the tappet 28 and spaced from the vertical side ,of the frame .6. As shown in Fig. 2 this mounting consists of a stud 38 having a squared portion 39 by means of which a wrench is applied to insert 'one screw threaded end into the Side of the frame 6. The outer end of the stud has a reduced portion 41 slightly wider than the thickness of the bar 34 which is adapted to slide readily thereover. The outer portion of the stud is further reduced and screw threaded at 42 to receive a nut 43 which is drawn up against the shoulder of the portion 41.

In operation the slide 9 reciprocates horizontally in each direction once during the composition of each slug. During the composing step the slide moves to the left delivering the line of matrices to the elevator 7 and returning to the right with a quicker movement by reason of spring 14 and rocker arm 12. Assuming the bar 34 tohang in vertical position with the distinct-1y marked end 37 uppermost at the beginning of the travel of the slide 9' to the left, it will be apparent that tappet 28 will ride freely over the curved or tapered end of the bar without disturbing the latter from its vertical position.

On the quick return movement of the slide 9 the tappet 28 takes a position with the lug 29 abutting in the recess 27 thus bringing the face 30 of the tappet squarely against the face 35 of the upper end of the bar. This upper end of the bar is impelled around stud 38 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1 with sufficient momentum to carry the upper end well out of the path of the tappet 28and to bring the opposite end of the bar above the horizontal plane of stud 38. It follows that the first mentioned end of bar 34 will travel to the right as shown in Fig. 1 with the stud ortion 41 passing to the opposite end of sl dt 36. In this manner the first named end of the bar outweighs the other end, the axisof support of the bar being shifted from one end to the other of the slot 36. Thus the indicator has been inverted during the return movement of the slide 9..

In case the momentum given'the bar 34 is sufficiently great to bring the lowermost end thereof with the curved edges of the bar and tappet engaging then the tappet serves to prevent further rotation of the bar and limits it to one-half revolution.

Each succeeding movement of the slide to the right at the conclusion of the matrix assembling step will cause the reversal of the position of the bar 34. Consequently the operator of the machine has before him at all times an indicator showing whether the number of lines or slugs is odd or even, and thus may govern the type casting step accordingly. By bringing the detent 31 into its lower position as shown in Fig. 4, it is possible to render the indicator inoperative at will without disturbing the operation of the machine, when under these circumstances it is desired to compose individual slugs without regard to their relation to the preceding and succeeding units.

While I have shown my invention in one form and as applied to one variety of type casting machine, it will be apparent that numerous changes in minor details of size and proportion may be made within the scope of my invention and without limiting myself beyond the terms of the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. Indicating means for the movement of the assembling slide of a type casting machine comprising an arm adapted for reciprocation with said slide, a tappet carried by said arm, a reversible signal and means for mounting said signal on the machine in the path of said tappet.

2. Indicating means for the movement of the assembling slide of a type casting machine comprising an arm adapted forv attachment to the operating lever of said slide, a tappet carried by said arm, a reversible signal and means for mounting the said signal on the machine in the path of said tappet.

3. Indicating means for the movement of the assembling slide of a type casting machine comprising an arm adapted for attachment to the operating lever of said slide, a tappet pivotally carried by said arm, a reversible signal an means for mounting said signal on the machine'in the path of said tappet.

4. Indicating means for the movement of the assembling slide of a type casting machine comprising an arm adapted for attachment to the operatin lever of said slide, a tappet pivotally carried by said arm, a movable signal bar, means for mounting said bar on the machine in the path of said tappet and resilient means to retainsaid tappet in inoperative position.

5. Indicating means for the movement of the assembling slide of" a type casting machine comprising an arm adapted for attachment to the operating lever of said slide, a tappet 'pivotally carried by said arm, a movable signal bar havimg ends distinguishable one from the other and means for mounting said bar on the machine in the path of said tappet.

6. Indicating means for the movement of v slide and its operating lever, an arm adapted to reciprocate with said slide and lever, a tappet pivoted on said arm', resilient means to retain the tap-pet in inoperative position at the option of the operator, a stud on the frame of the machine and a movable signal bar having an extended media-l bearing on said stud.

8. In combination with a type casting machine having a reciprocating assembling slide and its operating lever, an arm adapted to reciprocate with said slide and lever, a tappet pivoted on said arm, a bar having distinguishable ends and an extended medial slot, a stud on the frame of the machine and passing through said slot whereby said bar is caused to make one-half revoluffion on each return movement of said sli e.

9. In an indicating means for the movement of the assembling slide of a type easting machine, a signal bar having a medial bearing and having opposite ends the front edges of which are parallel to the longitudinal. axis of the bar, means for revolwbly mounting said bar on said machine and movable means on said machine for inverting said bar on the return movement of the assembling slide.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto afiixed my signature.

ALBERT M. CRABTREE. 

